Powerboating ICC Direct Assessment in North Wales

The International Certificate of Competence is an internationally recognised certificate that is required in most European and worldwide countries if you want to own or rent a boat. Seawake offers power up to 10m and power up to 24m coastal on the basis of a one-day assessment.

The ICC lasts 5 years. It sits alongside your handling and theory, so the examiner needs to see both, not only that you can start the engine.

There are two ways. You can successfully undertake the RYA Powerboat Level 2 course, which then allows you to apply for the ICC, or you can undertake a direct assessment on this listing.

The direct assessment can be a half day, during which a certain level of competence must be displayed for the examiner to issue a pass. Completing Level 2 first is the route we recommend if your theory is rusty.

The ICC lasts 5 years from the date it is issued. After that you need to renew it if you still want to own or rent a boat in the countries that ask for it.

Keep the certificate with your other tickets. The assessment itself is a one-day slot, but the paper you apply for afterwards is what the hire base or harbour will want to see.

Seawake offers power up to 10m and power up to 24m coastal. Those are the two classes available on this direct assessment, both run from Menai Bridge on a training boat.

Power up to 10m suits most RIBs and small motor boats. Power up to 24m coastal is the larger class if that is the size you intend to own or rent.

A direct ICC assessment is for someone who already has boat handling skills to Powerboat Level 2 standard. You need to show both practical competence and the theory that sits with it.

If your theory is rusty, Level 2 is the better first step, because that course then allows you to apply for the ICC without a separate assessment. This listing is for the assessment itself.

The direct assessment can be a half day within a one-day slot. You demonstrate boat handling to the standard the examiner needs to see, plus the theory knowledge that sits alongside that practical experience.

We usually find that even with lots of hands-on experience, people sometimes fall down on the theory. The day is there to check both, not only the helm work.

Yes. Theory sits with the practical. Collision regulations, basic navigation and the safety procedures you would use on a hired or owned boat are part of what the examiner needs to see.

That is why Level 2 is the route we recommend if you have not sat a classroom session for a while. This assessment still includes that check, even if you helm every weekend.

On a successful pass you receive the documentation you need to apply for your ICC. The assessment itself is the competence check. The certificate is then issued through the RYA process that follows.

Bring the paperwork you are asked for on the day so the application can go in cleanly. The ICC you receive is valid for 5 years.

The ICC is recognised in most European countries and in many other places worldwide if you want to own or rent a boat. Acceptance can still vary, so it is worth checking the country you are visiting before you travel.

For most hire bases in Europe it is the paper they ask for. This assessment is the power version, for boats up to 10m or up to 24m coastal.

The assessment runs from our training centre in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey. The classroom is at 40 High Street, with the training boats a five-minute walk away.

The waters here are generally sheltered for the handling part, with the Menai Strait close enough to show real tidal water. Pay and Display parking is across the road from the classroom.